Statement by the Indonesian Delegation at the 13th Session of the HRC - Annual Full-day Meeting on the Rights of the Child – Panel Discussion on the Protection of Boys and Girls from Sexual Violence : Prevention and Response

Indonesia’s commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of every Indonesian child is beyond question. The 1945 Constitution guarantees that “Every child shall have the right to live, grow and develop, and shall have the right to protection from violence and discrimination”. Furthermore, Article 34 (1) also states that “Impoverished persons and abandoned children shall be taken care of by the State”.

In addition to its national Constitution, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Indonesia has been a party since 1990, and other child-related international agreements have become the main references in the child-related policies initiated by the Government. This ensures that such policies and programes conform to international standards.

Distinguished Panellists,

Indonesia takes the issue of sexual violence against children seriously. With reference to Law no. 23/2002 on Child Protection and Law no.21/2007 on Combating Trafficking in Persons, particularly women and children, the relevant governmental agencies, working in close collaboration with other stakeholders, have adopted the National Action Plan on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour and the National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Exploitation against Children.

Currently, the following measures are being carried out to implement the Plans, namely: acceleration of the ratification of the OP-CRC on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography; raising awareness within the community; the establishment of relevant data systems; and intensification of the dissemination of the Plan throughout the country.

Distinguished Panellists,

In Indonesia, considerable gaps remain between the policies on this issue and their implementation. Nevertheless, the Indonesian Government, in partnership with other stakeholders, is stepping up joint efforts to improve this situation. Alongside the ongoing comprehensive measures, the Government, National Human Rights Institution and NGOs, are supporting media campaigns and providing training for the police and security forces on the criminalization of sexual violence against children.

At this point, allow me to ask the panellists: how can countries ensure the best interests of the child are upheld when dealing with cases involving child perpetrators? In addition, we would also like to hear the panel’s views on the “demand” dimension to the child sexual exploitation. In other words, what measures are needed to better educate and raise awareness amongst those exploiting children sexually?